Coronavirus news – live: Covid laws extended until end of September as NHS England lowers emergency level

One of Boris Johnson’s ministers has been accused of a “pathetic” attempt to re-write history, after claiming the decision to extend free school meals had nothing to do with pressure from Marcus Rashford.

Children’s minister Vicky Ford denied a high-profile push by the Manchester United footballer and campaigner was behind the U-turns on meals provided to some of England’s poorest families during an interview today.

Adam Forrest explains:

There have been nearly 37 million fewer GP appointments in England since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, data suggests.

PA analysis of experimental figures from NHS Digital, published on today, shows that in the 12 months from March 2020 there were an estimated 275 million GP appointments in England.

This is around 12% fewer than the estimated 312 million in the previous 12 months.

Pfizer has begun testing its coronavirus vaccine in young children under the age of 12, following an announcement from Moderna earlier in the month that it was doing the same.

On Wednesday, the pharmaceutical company began its testing on young children by administering vaccines to a pair of 9-year-old twins at Duke University in North Carolina.

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Draconian lockdown laws imposed one year ago have been extended for a further six months, despite a major Tory revolt.

The Coronavirus Act – granting powers over everything from school closures and public gatherings to the detention of infected people – was renewed by MPs, by 484 votes to 76.

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Conservative former minister Steve Baker urged the government to stop spreading fear via its pandemic advertising, telling MPs: "I know every minister and member of this House wishes to improve the mental health of the nation.

"But I'm afraid the indications are that one of the best ways we can improve the nation's mental health right now would be (to) cease this terrifying advertising and say to the public that there's great news, the vaccines are working.

"Stop the advertising, stop terrifying people, treat them like adults, ask them to comply but to comply while we get the vaccine rolled out and save lives."

President Joe Biden has planned to announce a new goal of administering 200 million Covid-19 vaccines within his first 100 days of office later today, a White House official told NBC News.

Upon entering office on 20 January, Mr Biden set the goal of administering at least 100 million vaccines within his first 100 days of office. His administration easily hit this goal last Friday after Mr Biden’s 58th day in office.

Danielle Zoellner explains:

A health minister has said progress in tackling the pandemic could not have been achieved without the coronavirus laws.

Speaking at Westminster, Tory frontbencher Lord Bethell also emphasised the role played by the widely-praised vaccine rollout, as well as the "perseverance and commitment" of the public.

Lord Bethell told peers: "I completely acknowledge that some aspects of the Act cause concern. These are measures we did not take lightly and do not use freely. However, it remains vital to have the ability to take appropriate action for our response to be effective."

He added: “We made a promise to parliament that we would not keep any provision in place for longer than it was necessary and we have made good on that promise. In line with the spirit of the Act, we are dropping every single additional provision possible."

One year on from the first coronavirus lockdown, Maya Oppenheim has spoken to women across the UK about how the last 12 months have impacted their lives.

Labour MP Richard Burgon (Leeds East) has said he will vote against extending coronavirus laws, urging the government to bring back better legislation.

He told the Commons: "People have been brilliant throughout this whole crisis, looking after each other and respecting the lockdown rules. It's the government that has failed.

"And while the government continues to fail to put in place proper sick pay to those that need to self-isolate, a decent minimum income floor and other measures that deal with the deepening social crises that people in our communities face, I cannot support extending the government's Coronavirus Act for six months more.

"I will vote against this Act and the government should bring back a better Act, one that protects civil liberties and one that tackles both the public health and social crises."

The cinema chain Cineworld has reported losses of $3.01bn (£2.2bn) in 2020 after it had to close cinemas due to the pandemic.

The group is hoping the vaccine will allow the chain a recovery and that there will be a “strong pent-up demand” when their cinemas reopen.

Eleanor Sly has more details: